[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 843 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value speech communication schools.
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Finding the Best Value Speech Communication School for You
The right speech communication school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Speech Communication Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Speech Communication Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in speech communication, landing the #3 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $5,707. Speech Communication graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the speech communication program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for speech communication value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $40,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #7 for value in speech communication this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $11,246. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 spot for speech communication value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for speech communication graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #11 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,262 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Skyline College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
San Diego Mesa College placed #14 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #15 for value in speech communication this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College earned the #16 position for value in speech communication this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #17 for value in speech communication this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #18 spot for speech communication value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the speech communication program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College placed #20 among the best values for speech communication. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #21 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the speech communication program here. Soon after graduation, speech communication degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #22 for value in speech communication this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the speech communication program here. Speech Communication graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value speech communication schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Speech Communication graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Speech Communication graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #24 among the best values for speech communication. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College earned the #25 position for value in speech communication this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the speech communication program here. Early-career speech communication graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Speech Communication Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s speech communication value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Speech Communication. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 843 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 345 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Speech Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/speech-communication/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong speech communication education at a price that pays off.
